Posts Tagged ‘metaphors’

The current economic challenges we confront may qualify as wild chickens or even petty tyrants (petty tyrants can range from simply annoying to distraction to holding the power of life and death). The financial crisis reveals the impermanent matrix that underlies the workings of the world. Key people and institutions have shown us the dangers of ignorance, greed, and delusion. They attributed a solidity and value to things that were neither. The house of cards now reveals itself. We are confronted with a painful reality. The concept of “wealth” spills through our fingers like water. We are unable to grasp it; we cannot hold on to it. This has always been the case, we are now acutely aware of it. These challenging remind of us of the need to proceed through days with as much mindfulness as we can muster. If we can know in our bones that change is the order of the day we may be able to ride these waves of tumult with more equanimity.

While the transition to the New Year can be a fruitful time for reflection and review, let’s not forget that every day can be New Year’s Day when we bring a mindful approach to living. I think we enter 2009 with a mixture of uncertainty and excitement.

I am excited for the forthcoming publication of Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness and the opportunity to bring the message of mindfulness to my community and the wider world.

I am developing new workshops and classes based on the wisdom of the book.